Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values.
Due to the specially protected areas of nature, the protection and reproduction of unique ecosystems, rare endangered endemic and relict species in the natural environment are ensured.
Surface and groundwater basins, isolated areas of subsoil, flora and fauna can be specially protected areas.
The main purpose of the protected areas is to preserve the species, be it flora or fauna, as well as the preservation of local cultural values and natural resources, such as:
- Carbon stocks
Carbon emissions from deforestation account for an estimated 20% of global carbon emissions, so in protecting the worlds carbon stocks greenhouse gas emissions are reduced and longterm land cover change is prevented, which is an effective strategy in the struggle against global warming. Of all global terrestrial carbon stock, 15.2% is contained within protected areas.
- Rainforests
18.8% of the world's forest is covered by protected areas and sixteen of the twenty forest types have 10% or more protected area coverage.
- Mountains
Nationally designated protected areas cover 14.3% of the world's mountain areas, and these mountainous protected areas made up 32.5% of the world's total terrestrial protected area coverage in 2009. Mountain protected area coverage has increased globally by 21%.
Through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), the IUCN has developed six Protected Area managment Categories that define protected areas according to their management objectives, which are internationally recognised by various national governments and the United Nations. The categories provide international standards for defining protected areas and encourage conservation planning according to their management aims.
IUCN Protected Area Management Categories:
- Category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve
- Category Ib - Wilderness Area
- Category II - National Park
- Category III - Natural monument
- Category IV - Habitat / Species Management Area
- Category V - Protected landscape
- Category VI - Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources
According to the RA Law on Specially Protected Areas of Nature (1991), national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and natural monuments are guaranteed as specially protected areas.
387 thousand ha or 13% of the territory of Armenia are Special Protected Areas of Nature:
- 27 State Sanctuaries
- 233 Natural Monument
